The video above includes the full service, except for the time for sharing.

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained through One License with license A-727859.

Moving Toward Transformation

There is a practice that I’ve experienced as part of Mennonite circles that I am not sure whether it is unique to us or not but which I find to be an interesting one.  That practice is sometimes called a “listening committee,” and it functions during bigger gatherings or meetings by appointing a few representatives who listen diligently and take note of what they hear.  Then at the end of the gathering, this listening committee gives its report with each person offering a recap of the things they heard during seminars, worship services, or even personal conversations that they found to be meaningful or important.  Different than official minutes for the meeting, these reports attempt to capture something deeper. Sometimes there is an attempt to synthesize these snippets into underlying themes, but often the report is simply a series of snippets in a sort of poetic list that offers brief glimpses into the experience that the whole group has just shared. 

Usually these reports contain their fair share of funny quotations that help remind people of the laughs that had been shared during the past few days.  And often there is an equal number of moments during these reports where a short quote or phrase from a sermon or an especially powerful seminar is shared, causing a more pensive moment to wash over the gathering as we remember and reflect on how that speaker challenged us to think deeply about where God is calling us next. 

My task for this morning is to give a sort of “listening committee” report to you about the Mennonite Church…

7-11-21–CMC service from Gwen Reiser on Vimeo.

The video above includes the full service, except for the time for sharing.

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained through One License with license A-727859.

Order of Worship | Christian Nationalism

Prelude | Terzetto Op. 74 for Two Violins and Viola, in C major, Movement I. Allegro ma non troppo by Antonín Dvořák. | Performance: Elizabeth Martin, violin 1; Marisa Tayal, violin 2; Gabriel Cassell Ramirez, viola.

Welcome 

VT 36 | Let us build the house  vs 1, 4, 5 | Debra Martin, Sarah Martin, Tom Blosser, and Galen Martin, vocals; Debra Martin, guitar.

Land Acknowledgement 

We acknowledge we are gathering on land where Miami, Osage, Shawnee, and other Indigenous peoples have lived and labored, fought, and loved. We continue to work and pray for justice and conciliation.      

Call to Worship

VT 592 | How Firm a Foundation | Sung by Debra Martin, Sarah Martin, Tom Blosser, and Galen Martin

Peace Candle 

Children’s Time 

Offering/Dedication Prayer 

Special music | Prelude Cello Suite 2 in D minor by Johann Sebastian Bach. | Performance: Sarah Martin, cello.

Scripture | Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)

VT 440 | Ask the complicated questions | Debra Martin, Sarah Martin, Tom Blosser, and Galen Martin, vocals; Debra Martin, guitar.

Sermon | Love Builds Up

Silent Reflection

VT 42 | Could it be that God is singing | Debra Martin, Sarah Martin, Tom Blosser, and Galen Martin, vocals; Debra Martin, guitar. 

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer 

Passing the Peace

Extinguishing the Peace Candle 

Benediction 

Announcements 

Thanks to everyone who helped lead today’s service

Sermon: Bonita Croyle

Worship Leader: Phil Yoder

Music coordination: Debra and Galen Martin

Children’s Time: Galen Martin

Peace Candle: Chaska Yoder

Zoom Host: Sarah Werner

…

The video above includes the full service, except for the time for sharing.

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained through One License with license A-727859.

Order of Worship | Christian Nationalism

Prelude

Welcome 

Land Acknowledgement 

We acknowledge we are gathering on land where Miami, Osage, Shawnee, and other Indigenous peoples have lived and labored, fought, and loved. We continue to work and pray for justice and conciliation.      

Call to Worship

Peace Candle 

VT 416 | Beyond a Dying Sun | Performance: Harrisonburg Mennonite Church

Children’s Time 

Offering/Dedication Prayer

VT 308 | How Can We Worship Caesar’s Cross | Voices Together Recording

Scripture | Acts 17:16-28

Sermon | How do you talk with terrorists? On Christian nationalism and idolatry 

Silent Reflection

VT 705 | For the Healing of the Nations | Sung by Phil Yoder

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer 

Passing the Peace

Extinguishing the Peace Candle 

Benediction 

Announcements 

Cookie Time | 11:00 am via Zoom

Thanks to everyone who helped lead today’s service

Sermon: Janna Hunter-Bowman

Worship Leader: Kerry Strayer

Music coordination: Phil Yoder

Children’s Time: Mark Rupp

Scripture Reading: Shirley & Wilbur Miller

Zoom Host: Gretchen Geyer

…

The video above includes the full service, except for the time for sharing.

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained through One License with license A-727859.

Order of Worship

Prelude

Welcome 

Land Acknowledgement 

We acknowledge we are gathering on land where Miami, Osage, Shawnee, and other Indigenous peoples have lived and labored, fought, and loved. We continue to work and pray for justice and conciliation.      

Call to Worship

Peace Candle 

VT 759 | Take My Life, and Let It Be vs 1,2,3,5 | Performed by JoAnn and Paul Knapke

Children’s Time 

Mission Moment | Ohioans to Stop Executions

Offering/Dedication Prayer

VT 287 | Jesus Christ Is Waiting | Harmonies by Paul Knapke. Sung by Paul Knapke

Scripture | Mark 5:21-43

Sermon

Silent Reflection

VT 811 | Use Us, God | Performed by Paul Knapke

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer 

Passing the Peace

Extinguishing the Peace Candle 

Benediction 

Announcements 

Thanks to everyone who helped lead today’s service

Sermon: Joel Call

Worship Leader: Sarah Werner

Music coordination: Paul Knapke

Children’s Time: Tim Stried

Mission Moment: Hannah Kubbins

Peace Candle and Scripture Reading: Shakita Kabicek

Zoom Host: Gretchen Geyer

…

CMC Service, 6/20/21 from Gwen Reiser on Vimeo.

The video above includes the full service, except for the time for sharing.

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained through One License with license A-727859.

Sermon Text:

Originally, Joel had asked me to preach on this Sunday because, at the time, there had been some hope that this might be the week we would be returning to in-person worship services.  If that had been true, I’m not sure if this lectionary reading from Mark’s gospel would have been as much of a good fit for what I can only imagine would have been a big, celebratory occasion.  Instead, we find ourselves still in this time of transition.  We now have a clear date in mind and some concrete ideas on how to make that return to in-person happen in the safest way possible, but we are still in transition, figuring out what all needs to be done behind the scenes to get to that new place. 

Maybe it is no surprise that we’re still in transition because in many ways the entire last year has felt like one transitory period after another.  The initial shock of the pandemic required new ways of doing almost every aspect of life.   And then each new season, each new scientific study being released, each new vaccine, and it seems sometimes, each new day brought new transitions our way.  For some, these transitions were mostly pain free.  Some of us may have even found new ways to thrive as we transitioned to working from home or online schooling.  For others, the harm to mental, social, and financial wellbeing were extremely high, let alone the physical toll this pandemic has taken on so, so many.  

Early on there…